Environmental groups in the Pacific Northwest have been effective in fighting the growth of coal export terminals in their ports; therefore, with the coming Panama Canal expansion, coal export companies have turned their focus to facilities along the Gulf Coast to serve growing Asian markets.

Apart from their role in facilitating the burning of fossil fuels, these terminals—which handle both coal and petroleum coke, visually indistinguishable from the air—damage local air and water quality. During significant storms such as Hurricane Isaac in August 2012, containment systems fail, dumping coal or coke and contaminated floodwaters into neighboring communities and waterways. Even in dry periods, coal and coke escape the facilities and contaminate neighboring communities, causing serious negative health impacts.